Tag: blissology teacher

Fire only burns as bright as there are flames to continue keeping it alive. Our Blissology Yoga Teacher’s Collective is burning bright and we are so excited to share the first of our Bliss Blogs on some of the amazing spirits and shining lights who are continuing to speak, connect and inspire their Bliss.

Name:Carrie Varela

Where in the world you can find me! Town/Studio:I teach weekly classes in Denver, CO at three amazing Denver yoga studios: The Freyja Project, Yoga Pod and Kindness. I lead international and national yoga retreats from the mountains of Colorado to the magical island of Bali, Indonesia. I can guide you through the experience of becoming a Reiki practitioner from beginner to Master level!

What originally drew me to yoga?I took my first yoga class when I was 16 and I remember seeing my teacher touch his head to the floor in a wide legged forward fold. In that moment, something moved inside me. I knew that I wanted to become a yogi right then and there! I have been practicing yoga ever since. 🙂

Blissology to me is…A movement to inspire us to the one of highest teachings of yoga—bliss! Blissology’s dedication to community and nature encourages us to remember it is not just about our individual “I-ness” but “Us-ness”…what we can create as collective of people on fire for connecting to each other and the importance of honoring and revering our beautiful Earth!

My life mission is…To learn and grow.

The most important thing yoga has taught me is…Freedom in the body = freedom in the mind.

When I’m not on the yoga mat, I’m…Chilling with my amazing partner, Jonathan Bloch and our kids Ella and Jai! We are always creating something: a new integrative medicine healing center, international and national retreats, workshops, re-designing our home as an AirBnB and trying to make a positive impact for the environment in our community and world. My favorite downtime activity is definitely working on a puzzle!

The cause/project I am most passionate about is…Environmental sustainability. Just doing my part to make the world a better place for the not only our generation but the generations after us. I am also very passionate about mental health!

I am learning to…Be a mom! I just had a baby four months ago. It has been a season of growth for me as I learn how to juggle motherhood, family life and a non-traditional career. A wonderful journey for sure.

What I want to teach others (through yoga) is to…Since the name of my yoga business is Carrie Varela Healing Arts, I guess I mainly feel inspired to offer yoga as a healing practice. But not healing in a dull or boring way, but healing in a life-giving way! I am passionate about helping people find good energy. Good energy happens when we are in the flow, connected, inspired and filled with purpose. 🙂

Most inspiring yoga related experience:Seems a little bit off topic but I think it was giving birth to my son Jai. My yoga practice prepared me so much for the whole journey from the learning how to practice in my body as pregnant, going through a safe and healthy delivery of our kiddo and healing my body with yoga post pregnancy. During the whole process, I experienced the magic of Shakti as the energy of creation inside of me. Holding my son in my arms during the first weeks of his life were some of the most blissful experiences of my life thus far. I am so grateful for this life!

Favorite yoga pose: Is it okay to say all of them? Haha. I just love yoga and I love vinyasa. Threading flows together in the most blissful ways is one of my favorite creative outlets. I guess if had to chose one pose right now it would probably be Natarajasana? They are all amazing though!

Best way to fuel up after yoga:I am a big fan of Purium products. Purium is a full spectrum nutritional program with amazing certified organic non-GMO, gluten free, soy free, dairy free and vegan products—clean health for me and the environment. I know it doesn’t end there though. I am learning how to apply more of the wisdom of Ayurveda in my diet via counselling sessions with the one and only Insiya Rasiwala-Finn.

Yoga and music are…When they are in sync with one another it feels like we are flying through the practice. Yoga and good music is so fun. I love the experience of live music and yoga as well. I also recognize that at times music is a total mind distraction and it is also wonderfully soothing to do a practice without music.

I create community with Blissology by…Getting to know my students names, including them in the process, encouraging them to see each other, not being afraid to make the practice light hearted and fun. I also love to incorporate nature in almost every class. Creating a circle of light for my students is a great skill that I love to use not necessarily every class but when it is right. 🙂 I am so wonderful blessed to be a part of the Blissology tribe!

I am most grateful for… Everything! Gratitude is the fuel of positivity in my life and I try to express it everyday. Top on my list is my beautiful family, yoga, Reiki, my community of friends and students who light me up. Truly, my superpower is Reiki and it inspires me to do all the things I do in life. I wouldn’t be where I am without it and it is my mission to share Reiki with the world.

What advice do you have for aspiring yoga teachers?Look closely at the pay you are being offered to teach. If you are being offered $25/class that might seem like a lot from the outside but $25/class will rarely be enough to cover your expenses. Many studios still pay you around $4/mat. That variability of income is a money pit for a new teacher. Think about the time it takes to just make enough to earn back the investment you put into your YTT, Think about the time it actually takes to teach a 60-75 minute yoga class. I will likely include 20+ minutes of driving there and back, you must be 20 minutes early and stay 20 minutes (+/-) after. That is about a 2.5-3 hour commitment of your time to teach one class. If you use 2.5 hours of your time to teach one class at $25/class you will be making $10/hour. That is before taxes, gas, other car expenses, teaching insurance, yoga alliance fees and in the case for moms, childcare costs. You will be hard pressed to make a profit at all at $25/class (if not just lose $$). So if you are trying to make additional income from teaching yoga make sure to think about these things. If you are trying to make a living from teaching yoga, you will need to teach a whole lot and it will almost always feel like you are losing financially… For most of us who teach yoga to make a living, the teaching yoga is one way to meet new potential clients and to invite them to participate in our other offerings (in my case Reiki, yoga teacher trainings, retreats but for others it could include massage, counselling, life/health coaching etc). Making $50k a year in yoga might seem like a lot but with all of the expenses rolled into teaching you will likely only take home about $15k in actual profit. You will never get ahead financially at that rate. Hope that helps you!

This is Day 14 of our two weeks to Commit to Bliss. The Blissology Project will run from Monday, January 22nd until Sunday, February 4th 2018.

It is all about making happiness a habit and creating an Upward Spiral of positivity in our lives through the 6 Big Easy Bliss Commitments.

The last day of the Blissology Project 2018 is upon us! You’ve put so much time and energy forth to make happiness a habit in your life. Feel grateful for whatever commitment you were able to put forth and carry the good vibes you’ve cultivated into the rest of your life!

*Note: We realize these are some challenging poses! Do your best with where your practice is today. If you feel your flexibility and strength just aren’t there today then insert a pose or two that feel good in your body.

*Special Announcement: Eoin will be hosting a Facebook Live Super Soul Sunday yoga class. Tune in on the Blissology Facebook Page at 10am PST on Sunday, February 4th to get the good vibes flowing!

Don’t forget to share any photos on social media using hashtags #blissologyproject + #blissarmy + #upwardspiral

Meditation

You’ve learned so many different meditation techniques and practices from an incredible array of Blissologists. Use your Wise Guide Inside to take 5-minutes to meditate on your own with whatever feels good!

Nature Appreciation

Go camping. Even if you can’t go today plan a trip in the near future, even if it’s just for one night. Consider it a celebration of your completion of the Blissology Project!

Don’t forget to share any photos on social media using hashtag #blissologyproject + #natureappreciation

Food Awareness

Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie:

Tastes like dessert but healthy enough to drink for breakfast, or as a post yoga rejuvenator.

Ingredients:

2 – 3 tbsp raw almond or cashew butter

1 tbsp greens powder. We like pranin organics, or vitamineral greens

4 – 6 oz water//’

4 – 6 oz unsweetened vanilla almond milk (store bought or homemade)

¼ of a small sized avocado (like a hass avocado)

1/4 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves

sweeten to taste with raw honey

1 tbsp raw cacao nibs

2 – 4 ice cubes

Method:

Add all ingredients except the cacao nibs to a blender.

Pulse until smooth and creamy.

Then, add the cacao nibs and blend for another 5 – 10 seconds to break up the nibs into little bits.

Pour into a glass.

Enjoy.

Don’t forget to share any photos on social media using hashtag #blissologyproject + #highpranafood

Gratitude

Reflection Meditation. In Savasana position place one hand on your heart and the other on your belly. Allow space for any feelings and emotions of the last two weeks of the Blissology Project to arise. Offer appreciation and gratitude for your commitment to this program in whatever capacity you were able to contribute. You are more than enough!

Wild Card

Have a dance party! Either on your own, with family and friends, or with your Bliss Tribe celebrate your commitment to the Blissology Project. Turn on your favourite music and let loose!

This is Day 13 of our two weeks to Commit to Bliss. The Blissology Project will run from Monday, January 22nd until Sunday, February 4th 2018.

It is all about making happiness a habit and creating an Upward Spiral of positivity in our lives through the 6 Big Easy Bliss Commitments.

Don’t let the 13 sway you, this is a day full of all kinds of luck and blessings. You’ve almost made it to the end of the Blissology Project and you’re feeling embodied in the energy of the Upward Spiral. Let’s carry these good vibes forward today!

*Note: We realize these are some challenging poses! Do your best with where your practice is today. If you feel your flexibility and strength just aren’t there today then insert a pose or two that feel good in your body.

Don’t forget to share any photos on social media using hashtags #blissologyproject + #blissarmy + #upwardspiral

Pour hot water over chia seeds and mix thoroughly. Soak in the refrigerator for several hours or even overnight to make a thick gelatinous chia gel.

In a bowl or in a blender, mix in all ingredients. Blend lightly and taste. Adjust for sweetness.

To serve, garnish with some cardamom powder, rose petals and mint leaves, or any seasonal fruit.

Don’t forget to share any photos on social media using hashtag #blissologyproject + #highpranafood

Gratitude

When you find yourself in a bad situation today do your best to take a few deep breaths before reacting. Ask yourself, “What can I learn?” When you look back at the situation without emotion later what will you be grateful for?

Wild Card

Cook a meal for a loved one. You could even make your favourite meal and share the experience of mindful eating together.

*Note: We realize these are some challenging poses! Do your best with where your practice is today. If you feel your balance and strength just aren’t there today then insert a pose or two that feel good in your body.

Browse the internet for pictures of the wonders of the world or current environmental issues. Bonus points if you visit one of these wonders or take action to help the environment.

Don’t forget to share any photos on social media using hashtag #blissologyproject + #natureappreciation

Food Awareness

Pineapple + Basil Cooler:

Full of digestive enzymes, pineapple in the warmer months detoxifies and cools the body off excess heat. The lime and cayenne also help to boost a sluggish liver.

Ingredients:

1 pineapple, peeled, and cut into large chunks, discard the hard center.

8 fresh basil leaves

juice from 1 lime

Small pinch of Himalayan pink salt or sea salt

Small pinch of cayenne

Bit of raw honey if you need it.

Blend pineapple with tiny pinch of salt in a high speed blender.

Add basil leaves, lightly blend.

Drink at room temperature.

Don’t forget to share any photos on social media using hashtag #blissologyproject + #highpranafood

Gratitude

Gratitude requires humility, which the dictionary defines as being “modest and respectful.” Take some time to reflect on how you’re already a humble being and maybe aspects of your life where you could improve.

Wild Card

Tell a joke to someone. Really take some time to research and find the perfect one. Then deliver it with skill and flare!

Walking meditation. Find a peaceful spot out in the natural world where you can mindfully walk. Focus on each step you take. Feel the subtle sensations in your body. Notice your tendency to walk fast and rush the experience. Slow down and savour!

Don’t forget to share any photos on social media using hashtag #blissologyproject + #natureappreciation

Food Awareness

Vegan Pesto:

1 cup fresh kale (if you have leftover steamed kale, you can also use that, but fresh is better)

1 cup basil leaves (fresh)

1-2 cloves garlic

2 tablespoons nutritional yeast

2/3 cup nuts (pine nuts are traditional, but walnut and cashew nuts are nice for variety)

3-4 tablespoons cold pressed extra virgin olive oil

2 teaspoons fresh squeezed lemon juice

Sea salt and fresh black pepper to taste

In a high speed blender or food processor, combine the kale, basil, garlic, nutritional yeast, and nuts, pulsing just until coarsely chopped.

Slowly add olive oil, lemon juice and plenty of salt and pepper, blending just until desired consistency is reached.

For a thinner, saucier pesto, add more olive oil or other liquid.

Don’t forget to share any photos on social media using hashtag #blissologyproject + #highpranafood

Gratitude and Wild Card

Give to someone less fortunate than you. Is there a homeless person in your community who you could have a five minute conversation with to show you’re grateful for their existence. Get creative in the ways you can give gratitude and see how much you receive back!

Tonight is the Full Moon. Go outside to enjoy the moon at its most full and radiant. Allow this time of transition and intention to reflect on your Life Mission.

Don’t forget to share any photos on social media using hashtag #blissologyproject + #natureappreciation

Food Awaereness

Simple Miso soup with Tofu and Seasonal Veggies:

Serves 3 – 4

This is one of our favourite weekday evening meals. It is simple and nourishing, full of vital plant minerals and our son loves it also, especially served on top of warm brown rice. The seaweed if you can find it is lubricating and healing to the gut and adds a lovely salty flavor to the soup.

Now make the miso paste. In a separate cup, take 2 tbsp of the miso paste in a ½ cup of warm broth. Mix well until smooth and not lumpy. Slowly add this paste into the soup pot. Let the soup warm gently for another 2 – 3 minutes, but do not bring to a boil. Add water if you need to thin the soup more.

To serve. Place a ½ cup of warm cooked rice in a bowl. Top with the veggies, tofu and broth.

Garnish with gomashio and possibly a little bit of nutritional yeast (our son loves this).

Enjoy.

Don’t forget to share any photos on social media using hashtag #blissologyproject + #highpranafood

Gratitude

Vow to not complain, criticize, or gossip today. Rather try to be grateful and see the lesson to be learned in all situations. If you slip up forgive yourself and keep going. Notice how much energy you were spending on negative thoughts.

Wild Card

Talk to a plant! When you direct loving words to your plant notice how it soaks up the positivity like sunlight. Helping both of you grow in the right direction.

This is Day 9 of our two weeks to Commit to Bliss. The Blissology Project will run from Monday, January 22nd until Sunday, February 4th 2018.

It is all about making happiness a habit and creating an Upward Spiral of positivity in our lives through the 6 Big Easy Bliss Commitments.

We hope you’re feeling supercharged after the Happy Belly Green Smoothie and from getting clear on how you can serve the world through your Life Mission in Day 8. Let’s carry these positive vibes and purpose forward today!

*Note: We realize these are some challenging poses! Do your best with where your practice is today. If you can’t perform the full expression of one of the poses then insert a pose that feels good in your body.

Don’t forget to share any photos on social media using hashtags #blissologyproject + #blissarmy + #upwardspiral

Meditation

Centre your mind in a few short minutes with Blissologist Rhyanna Watson in her Calm Your Mindmeditation.

Nature Appreciation

Watch the sun as it rises. Even if it’s overcast take your coffee or tea for an early morning walk while you watch the day wake up!

Don’t forget to share any photos on social media using hashtag #blissologyproject + #natureappreciation

Food Awareness

Warm Breakfast Grains:

This is a simple recipe for using up leftover whole grains. You can use brown rice, basmati rice, barley, quinoa or even cooked amaranth here.

Serves 2

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked grains

1 cup milk (cow or soy or almond)

¼ cup raisins

¼ – ½ tsp cinnamon (cinnamon warms up the body so use less if you run hot).

1 tsp toasted sunflower seeds

Raw honey

Method:

Mix ingredients in a small saucepan. Cook until hot on medium heat.

This is delicious with some added ghee, coconut oil or honey. Top with toasted sunflower seeds for a boost of potassium and zinc.

Don’t forget to share any photos on social media using hashtag #blissologyproject + #highpranafood

Gratitude

Go on Facebook and find out which of your friends is celebrating a birthday today or very soon. Send them a quick message to wish them Happy Birthday and tell them one reason why you’re grateful to have them in your life.

Wild Card

Practice some Eco Karma. Spend 5 minutes of your day picking up trash outside. You can even do it in the morning on your Sunrise Walk!

*Note: We realize these are some challenging poses! Do your best with where your practice is today. If you can’t do King Pigeon then insert a pose of your choice that feels good in your body.

Bonus: Awaken a deep Joy inside of you with Blissologist Donna Williams in her Commit to Bliss Day 8practice.

Don’t forget to share any photos on social media using hashtags #blissologyproject + #blissarmy + #upwardspiral

Meditation

Take your mindfulness game to the next level with this Toilet Meditation with Blissologist Shelly Prosko!

Nature Appreciation

Find a quiet spot out in nature and place your bare feet upon the earth. Stand in a Horse Stance position with your feet wide and knees bent. Close your eyes and connect to your inhales and exhales as if the breath stems from your hands. Allow your fingers to be soft as you guide them around the body in fluid movements that feel good to you.

Don’t forget to share any photos on social media using hashtag #blissologyproject + #natureappreciation

Food Awareness

Happy Belly Green Smoothie:

It’s a little more complex than most other smoothies I make but it is full of good fats, vitamins and deliciously healing for your gut.

Ingredients:

1 cup very full fresh spinach

1 banana

1/2″ fresh ginger

1 scoop @praninorganic A to Z or Vitamineral Green or a similar organic greens powder,

1 tsp of chia soaked in unsweetened vanilla almond milk or water instead (soak for at least 5 mins),

pinch of sea salt,

1 cup coconut water.

1/2 tsp of slippery elm powder (to keep the gut lining smooth)

1 tsp flax oil.

Blend until smooth, top w edible garden flowers and sip slowly! You can also add some granola on top and make this a filling meal.

Don’t forget to share any photos on social media using hashtag #blissologyproject + #highpranafood

Gratitude

Create a Gratitude Game. Throughout your day notice things you’re grateful for that you’ve never noticed before. Maybe it’s the way one of your co-workers greets you at work everyday. Or the way the morning light enters your room. Get creative!

*Note: We realize these are some challenging poses! Do your best with where your practice is today. If you can’t do Firefly (as many of us can’t) then insert a pose of your choice that feels good in your body.

Don’t forget to share any photos on social media using hashtags #blissologyproject + #blissarmy + #upwardspiral

Blend all the basic ingredients in a food processor until the mass reaches a smooth yet somewhat granular consistency – it is up to you to decide how much texture or bite you would like in the bliss balls, I prefer them with a bit of crunch!

You may add some almond milk if the dough has become too thick and clumpy.

Scrape it out into a bowl or a plate – you will need a good spatula for this.

Place a small amount of the bliss ball dough in the palm of your hand. Roll it into a little ball.

Set aside a plate with a sprinkling of shredded coconut and roll the bliss ball in the flakes which will cover it to look like a snow dusted holiday treat.

Place on a plate and repeat.

Try a few different variations e.g. You could do Vanilla and Orange Zest, or you could do Lavender and Lemon, You could also do Ginger and Cinnamon, or Ginger and Cardamom, or just Lavender, the possibilities are endless. You can also make these without the Cacao powder for non-cocoa Bliss Balls. In that case, you might up the amount of vanilla that I suggest here and use only cashew nuts in the balls as they have a lovely delicate flavor that pairs beautifully with vanilla.

Don’t forget to share any photos on social media using hashtag #blissologyproject + #highpranafood

*Note: We realize these are some challenging poses! Do your best with where your practice is today. If you can’t do Side Crow then insert a pose of your choice that feels good in your body.

Don’t forget to share any photos on social media using hashtags #blissologyproject + #blissarmy + #upwardspiral

Meditation and Nature Appreciation

Take yourself on a date to your favourite spot out in nature. Find a space to sit down and close your eyes. Allow your senses to take in the subtle sensations of the natural world all around you: the sound of birds, wind against the trees, water lapping against the shore.

Don’t forget to share any photos on social media using hashtag #blissologyproject + #natureappreciation

Send a text to 3 people you’re grateful for in your life. Tell them how they’ve affected your life in a positive way.

Wild Card

Proclaim your spirit animal. What animal do you feel most connected to at this moment in your life. Do you love ocean water? Maybe you’re a Dolphin. What about looking up at the clouds and daydreaming about flying? Perhaps you’re an Eagle.

Look at the stars. Take a few minutes to really absorb the grand nature of the universe and the influence it has in your life. Contemplate the notion that we are all born of stardust.

Don’t forget to share any photos on social media using hashtag #blissologyproject + #natureappreciation

Food Awareness

Healing Ayurvedic Dal

This is a very simple recipe, one I grew up eating almost daily in India. Do not be alarmed by the spices. There are two stages to cooking dal. In the first, you cook the lentils with a few spices until soft. Then you heat oil to make a tempering, which adds flavor to the cooked lentils. I’ve offered some more suggestions to get creative as well. I will add that dal should not be a gloppy mush, which is something I’ve encountered in many places in the west. It should be soupy and thin and be able to be poured easily over rice. With the combination of grains and lentils, this is a complete, whole food and I hope you find it delicious.

a pinch of asafoetida powder (this is an ingredient you can find at an Indian market or an ayurvedic market)

5 – 6 curry leaves

2 green chiles (if you don’t mind a little spice).

Rinse the lentils well, until water runs clean. Cook in water along with turmeric and fenugreek until it reaches a soft consistency. Blend until mostly smooth. You can also use a potato masher to soften the dal more.

In a separate wok or frying pan, heat the ghee or oil for the tempering, which is what adds flavor to the dal.

Add the cumin and as it crackles, the asafoetida, curry leaves and chiles.

Reduce the heat to medium-low, add the cooked dal and salt. Add some water so the dal reaches a soupy consistency. Allow it to simmer for 5 – 6 minutes.

Remove from heat and garnish with coriander leaves.

Serve fresh along some cooked basmati or brown rice and a small green salad..

A few other suggestions:

You can add some sliced onion at the tempering stage, along with some thinly sliced ginger and garlic and let this mixture cook with the cumin and tempering spices for a few minutes before adding the cooked lentils. You can also add some fresh spinach leaves to this dal. Add them when the dal is very hot, before you take it off the stove. A lovely accompaniment to this dal is a lightly dressed green salad with fresh radishes and grated carrots etc.

Don’t forget to share any photos on social media using hashtag #blissologyproject + #highpranafood

Gratitude

Practice saying, “Thank you!” As you go about your day offer thanks to people any chance you have. Thank your bus driver. Give thanks to your partner for folding the laundry. The possibilities to offer thanks are limitless!

Wild Card

Plant something today and name your plant. If the ground is too cold go out and buy a new house plant to bring some positive vibes into your life.

Gently wash, drain and rinse the cauliflower, then break it into medium sized florets using clean hands or a knife. Discard hard bits of the white stalks, but keep the tender ones, chopping them into 1/4 inch pieces.

Use the white portion of the leeks. Save the green stalk ends in a freezer bag or box for making stock in the future. Slice the leeks lengthwise first into half, then chop into half-moons. Wash leeks well in a bowl of water.

Peel and slice the garlic into halves.

Bake:

Line a rimmed baking tray with parchment paper. Scatter vegetables in a single layer,drizzle with oil, add some salt, pepper and that pinch of turmeric, as well as any other herbs you might like to use.

Place the tray onto the middle rack of the oven and roast for 20 minutes. Check vegetables for softness and if needed roast for approx. 10 minutes longer.

Remove tray from the oven, let the vegetables cool slightly.

Blend:

To make the soup, pour the veggies and chicken broth into a high-speed blender and blend until smooth in two stages, so the blender does not overfill. You can also use an immersion blender in a soup pot. Add more water if needed to liquefy the soup to a consistency you like, 1 cup should do it.

Enjoy:

Taste the soup and serve in a bowl, topped with toasted black or white sesame seeds for extra minerals and a toasty crunch.

Don’t forget to share any photos on social media using hashtag #blissologyproject + #highpranafood

Gratitude

Take three things in your life you’re not excited about and reprogram your thoughts to be grateful. Example: If you’re not excited to work full time this week say to yourself, “I am grateful I have a job to go to that creates abundance in my life for myself and my family.”

Wild Card

Pay for someone’s coffee. Brighten someone’s day with your generosity and see how it comes back to you in other ways!